Thurston Hunt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BlessedsThurston Hunt and Robert Middleton S.J. |
|
|---|---|
| Priests, Martyrs | |
| Born | c. 1555 (Hunt)
c. 1571 (Middleton) |
| Died | 31 March 1601
(Hunt aged 45 - 46) (Middleton aged 29 - 30)Lancaster, Lancashire, England |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
| Beatified | 22 November 1987 by Pope John Paul II |
| Feast | 31 March, August 7 (feast day of the Lancaster Martyrs), 22 November |
Thurston Hunt and Robert Middleton were two English Roman Catholic priests. They lived in a time when being a Catholic priest in England was against the law. Because of their faith, they were arrested and put to death in the year 1601. The Catholic Church later honored them as martyrs, which means people who died for their beliefs. In 1987, Pope John Paul II declared them "Blessed."
The Story of Thurston Hunt
Thurston Hunt was born around 1555. His family lived at Carlton Hall, which is near Leeds. He decided to become a priest and studied in Rheims, France, from 1583 to 1584.
One day, Robert Middleton was arrested near Preston. Thurston Hunt and three other Catholics tried to help him escape. Their rescue attempt did not work. After a struggle, Thurston Hunt was also captured.
The Story of Robert Middleton
Robert Middleton was born in York in 1571. He was the nephew of Margaret Clitheroe. Margaret Clitheroe was a famous Catholic woman who was put to death in 1586. She was punished for helping Catholic priests hide.
Robert Middleton was first part of the Church of England. But he later became a Catholic. He went to study at the English College in Rheims, France. He also studied in Seville, Spain, and Rome, Italy. Robert became a priest on January 4, 1598. A few months later, he returned to England to serve his church. Before he was captured, he wanted to join the Jesuits, a special group of priests.
Their Arrest and Fate
Thurston Hunt and Robert Middleton were held in chains day and night. They were taken on a long journey to London and back to Lancaster. This journey was meant to shame them in public.
They were accused of being priests who had been trained outside England and then returned. This was against the law at the time. In Lancaster, they were found guilty and sentenced to death. The local people did not agree with this punishment. No one would lend a horse to drag them to the place where they would be put to death.
On March 31, 1601, Thurston Hunt and Robert Middleton were executed. They died because they chose to follow their faith.
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